Another source of funding is Kirklees College, who agreed to back the service until 2015 after their move to the new campus off Manchester Road.

The passenger transport authority Metro also provide tens of thousands of pounds for the bus service, which carries passengers in and around the town centre.

“The bus carries a staggering 28,000 people in a good week so it a service well worth keeping”, said Mr Sheerman.

“Many of those of course are elderly who have shopping bags but many others are students using the Kirklees College or the University of Huddersfield, and there is another group of passengers who park on the outskirts of town and hop on the bus to get to work.

“My biggest concern is that there are many people who come into the town centre because of the free bus and we do not want them to go away. I have had meetings with several large firms and retailers and many of them now know a lot of their customers use the bus.

“I have more meetings planned on Friday with several representatives of firms like Boots and I have had a lot of backing from the university and the college”.

Mr Sheerman has set up a task force to fight for the bus service, headed by businessman Mike Philipps, and wants a new identity for the free bus.

“The bus stops are anonymous as is the bus itself.

“Let’s look at rebranding it and shouting about what a great service we have”.